Tap Pants!!!!!

As well as the slip dresses (see below), I was making and selling silk camisoles and tap pants. I'm very fond of the tap pants - they are great and comfy under dresses and skirts or on their own. Id like to be bringing these back as well. So much to do! I need twelve hands!

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Im Biased

Just found this photo of a black silk charmeuse slip dress that I was manufacturing about 15 years ago. They sold very well. They flew out the door like hot cakes and then my partner and I went our separate ways. Oh, wait - they were stolen. But thats another story............Perhaps I should think about bringing this back since I'm back in a vintage state of mind. email me with your inquiry's please - I just found my patterns!

This is bringing back memories of when I was working in the basement of a warehouse that the Tubes used to rehearse in. The basement was haunted , A local corset company worked upstairs and there was a pattern maker/designer upstairs above all of us. I vaguely remember some discrepancy I was having with the pattern maker. I have a memory of her and I having a push and pull fight on the top of the steep flight of stairs going up to her loft. I think people were on my side about the argument. I dont remember winning the fight, but I do remember being embarrassed and thinking that this kind of drama isnt good for business and that I had been very close to falling off the stairs and killing myself! Oh, the backstage glamour of the fashion biz!

Anyway, the corset co. and I decided to get the hell out of that space as there was nothing but bad vibe in it. And then they taught me how to make corsets better than I had been making them. Then we all got in a fight and went our seperate ways. Then we made up.

The End

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Stripey Stretch World and the Glorious Ms. Brice

These striped dance pants were made exclusively for Rachel Brice and Samantha Hasthorpe. I cut and sewed the stripes myself because I just couldnt find a stripe that I liked out there in stretchy stripe world. This was a labor of love, but the affair is over and I wont be making any others unless I find the right fabric. Pretty cool, though, dontcha think?

I lied. Money talks for stripes. :)

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Santa

As much as I liked the old guy...he got away without a full on photo.

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Christmas Is In The Air

I am being reminded now of Christmas and Dicken's Faires and Christmas shows of Past. This is just a little example of what I can do with some cool fabrics and a little direction. I did not design these. They were made for Christmas With The Crawfords years ago and I tweaked some retro patterns and came up with this. A robe is a robe..I just made it better. The shoulder pads in this baby are massive!

Rumour has it that Thierry Mugler saw the silvery dress on stage in New York and thought it was authentic vintage. Well......Im believing it at any rate! Kudos to me and the man who picked the fabric!

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Vintage Reproduction

I took this off an old 50's day dress pattern. Blue retro print cotton with a self belt. I added a little fullness in the back for some extra style. Sweet and simple and totally wearable for today. I am so inspired by 50's couture right now. I caught the Golden Age of Couture exhibit at the V&A in London a couple weeks ago. While, I wasnt crazy about some of the dowdier of the suits that were shown, I was once again enthralled by the cut and padding and detail of that era. I guess having been born in that era, I dont get very excited by the visuals of the time, but when I get to see it up close and in action, I am always reinspired. The little Theatre De La Mode dolls that were dressed in the latest fashion were fantastic! That alone was more than worth the price of admission. And the foundations! As soon as I have the time, I am going girdle shopping. Im obsessed.

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Black Magic

Well, maybe this isnt the most original title, but the dress is pretty amazing. A Silk charmeuse slip dress that laces up both sides. Perfect for that special evening in - or out. Hand painted detailing in the back by Jon Weiss.

Model: Kristine Adams

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Me, Me - Its All About Me!

Here are a few photos from the Tarab gig in Birmingham, England last week. Im just posting the ones with me in them right now because its my blog, Im vain, and I can do what I want. Everyone in Rashani World Fusion and Pedralta Dance and Saaidi were gorgeous and glorious though! It was a great show and my dear friend Phil Thornton did some amazing visuals for the background and did much of the music.

Usually we are all much more decked out with big old hip belts and tons of jewelry. But logistics forced most of us to keep it simple. Its too much to lug all that heavy costuming around the world and customs has a field day with me as it is.

England Rocked. I spent two weeks on the southern coast and was taken to bonfire nights and castles and the Long Man of Wilmington and all over the sea and countrysides. Every town is Elizabethan or older in that part of the world. Everything is OLD and I loved it so! I know they are sick of the word "quaint". But compared to our burly ways, it is Quaint to the Extreme. Most everything is Wee. And yes, the food sucks. But it would in comparison to San Francisco anyway. We are soooooooooooooo spoiled!

On my way to the airport, I was burdened with tons of luggage and going up the tube steps was horrendous. The locals helped me though, bless them! I also accidentally knocked over a kiosk in the airport (don't ask) and by the dirty looks I was getting from the airport personnel, I thought I was going to be pulled aside and given the full on inspection. But they didn't! I'm sure they assumed such a clod as I could not ever be allowed to be on a terrorist or drug smuggling team!

Then I got a migraine and threw up in Canada.

Then despite my migraine, I went and bought a big old fat burrito - just for the hell of it.
Its all about me.

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My Favorite Contestant

Hands Down.
Yeah.

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

Set Her Free

Something about the 18th century silhouette particularly appeals to me. I like that one's body looks flat from the side and full and voluptuous from the front. (well, those of us with cleavage, that is)

Most of us prefer to dress up like we are either royalty or wenches. Most of us in real life fall somewhere between the two, or would have in days of old. A good well made corset that is custom fit to your measurements will always be far more comfortable and last longer than one off the rack. It can change how your perceive yourself. It can bring out that little baroness or pub wench locked up inside. Set her free.

Photo: Kristine Adams

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Pan Arts Collaboration

Here is the jacket that goes with the dress below. Jon Weiss of Pan Arts and I collaborated on this project. What makes this project so extra special is the amazing hand painted detail that took Jon hours to apply on the hooded jacket. This outfit is priceless! (But you can always make an offer!)

Artist: Jon Weiss
Model: Samantha Hasthorpe
Photo: Kristine Adams

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Sueded Rayon Romance

Blue and magenta evening dress created from sueded rayon. Im not even sure this fabric is being made anymore - I have not seen it around. Laces up the back. I adore lacings - either on the sides of a dress or down the back. Its just so sexy!

Model: Samantha Hasthorpe
Photo: Kristine Adams

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TARAB

Im heading overseas to perform with Rashani World Fusion, Pedralta Dance, and Phil Thornton.
This will be extra fun for me as one of my troupe-mates from Saaidi (Hadley Northrop - a fabulous artist!) will be there performing with me as well. This show will be awash with brilliant colors, vibrant costuming, amazing music and dance from along the Silk Road. The added bonus of a rare Phil Thornton apearance, plus his visuals and stunning music will make this a show not to miss! Not to mention the fact that this show will be filled with some of the best dancers in that part of the world! Im so lucky! I cant wait! So much to do from now til I jump on the plane!

Heres the scoop:

10 November at Birmingham Central Library Theatre, 8pm, £15

A sparkling, evocative melting pot of dance, music and digital media, inspired by the ancient silk and spice routes, featuring:
Rashani World Fusion
Pedralta Dance
Phil Thornton

Following their sell-out show Magic Caravan in Dublin the unique international dance collective Rashani World Fusion joins forces with Midlands-based duo Pedralta Dance and composer, musician and digital media artist Phil Thornton, for a one-night spectacular.

"Rashani really got the crowds rocking!" Irish Times
Festival of World Cultures Main Stage

"Rashani's performance kept me on the edge of my seat." Fantasia

Join the cast, at the after show party, at nearby Moroccan restaurant Zagora. (Places are limited for the meal, so book early)
Ticket Office 01543 414597
Or book online at
www.pedralta.com/tuition/015-003.htm

San Francisco Idea House 2007

I am currently working on some soft furnishings and drapes for this new Sunset Idea House in San Francisco. The project has had a few delays as projects of this magnitude can, and I wont be there for the grand opening because I will be away in England for a couple weeks. I believe scheduled opening is now November 2nd , but call ahead to confirm that. Don't miss it - I was just inside the house the other day and got to see it nearly done. While I am an oldie-fashiondie kinda gal, I flip for good modern. And I flipped. It has so many Green features in it that I am proud to be part of this venture. So go see!

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Sulamith Wolfing Was Here

Just kidding! This 18th century style corset was created from scraps of an old house coat found up in a thrift shop in Marin county. Sulamith Wolfing is one of my very favorite artists of all time and so of course, this find sent me spinning up to heaven. The fluke of this photo is the fact that the model is actually the photographer of this photo shoot and we had time for a few more shots. I had this corset in the bottom of my bag, threw it on Kristine, I took the shots and the bottom pic is one of my all time faves. Her tats, the colors and designs, the lines ........... well, just see for yourself!

Model: Kristine Adams
Photo: Kathleen Crowley


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Hairdoo Voodoo

These fabric partitions by the window were created to give everyone a little privacy from the passers-by outside. Margaret Friel and Yorque are San Francisco's most amazing hair stylists IMHO
HairdooVoodoo International

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Fabulous Fortuny Fantasia

I was commissioned by Lynne Rutter to make this lambriquin for her cliant. I constucted drapes and a window treatment with this gorgeous-enough-to-make-me-drool-$300-a-yard-imported-hand-stamped-in-gold paint-material. God Bless Fortuny! I cannot throw away even one mere scrap. (yes, it is a sickness, but a pleasant one - so what!) I need more projects like this. I need the gold and the glamour. I need the sheer luxury and decadence. Make me drool. I bow to the bolt!

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Sunset Magazine Photo Shoot

I honestly do not know if this was actually published. Sunset Magazine commissioned me to do a crafts page photo shoot. I got swamped, went away on vacation, and forgot to check this summer's issue. But it would have been a great craft page. This is a very simple idea and can be modified in a million ways.

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Sunset Magazine's Idea House 2006

This house was built in Sunset's parking lot, which was a lot of fun and highly unusual!

Here are a couple photos of my work. There were other examples not published, but you get the idea. Very modern, airy, and comfy!

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KathleenCrowleyCostumeCouture

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Pastie Perfection

When Im not sewing, I like to whip up a pastie or two for fun. I take requests and Ive done many a fine bridal and bridal shower gift with these. They seem to create a bit of excitement!
photos: Kristine Adams
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Alicia's Wedding